Breakaway

In February, I had the incredible privilege of leading worship with my dear friend, Donna Stuart at the Women's Breakaway. It was an amazing evening full of rich worship and deep teaching. Christy Nockels spoke on the postures of a woman's heart. When Christy speaks it's as if she's an older sister pouring out her heart to you over a cup of coffee. I love it! Here are a few snapshots of the evening (thanks to Lacy).

So does this mean I lack the wisdom I had before?

As of Tuesday, April 24th at 10:30ish a.m., I am now four teeth short of wisdom. In other words, I had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted. So all you two-wisdom-teeth people can save your stories - I don't want to hear them (if that doesn't make sense ask Brian Regan.)

I mean, really, why are they called "wisdom teeth?"

I remember when they first started breaking through the surface in college, causing an immense amount of pain and what felt like a monstrous ear infection. Moaning around the dorm and Matt's apartment, I would lament their annoying existence but stubbornly refuse to take ibuprofen. I could tough it out. Meanwhile, Matt was bemoaning MY existence, wondering when I would quit annoying him and take the pain-killers!

At that time, I was far from wise. And, you know what? I still am. I still grumble during the painful times of discipline that lead me to wisdom. I still stubbornly refuse to seek help and try to tough it out on my own. However, I catch glimpses of maturity - though not to my credit but to His. Every once in a while, the groaning seems a bit shorter and the fruit of the spirit push through the surface. Love and patience, joy and peace, kindness and gentleness, goodness and faithfulness, and even a little bit of self-control peek their heads through. He continues to wash me in the water of the word. So gently. So subtly. So patiently. With all wisdom.

Makeover

Ever since we bought our house last year, we've been wanting to overhaul the flower beds. This weekend was just the beginning. Here are some pictures of what we've accomplished so far...


BEFORE


AFTER


CLOSE-UP. Plants used: Italian Cypress (tall, skinny trees), Pink Lady Hawthornes, daisies, sweet potato vines, verbena and begonias.

Especially Heather and the Power of Prayer

I realize that this post and the last post are what I like to call "pseudo-posts" (i.e. posts that I have not written). But, both have been more than note-worthy.

I invite you to be inspired by reading about a mother of young children named Heather. Read her story, feel her heartbreak but more importantly know the name of her Hope - Jesus. Today, a fellow blogger (Boo Mama) is hosting a love offering on her blog today. I encourage you to visit - offer a prayer, a dollar or so, or both.

Recently, I have been given some material to read about prayer. I have been immensely convicted! The material is from the book God's Greater Glory. The author, Bruce A. Ware, discusses the truth found in Scripture that "God devised prayer as a means of enlisting us as participants in the work he has ordained, as part of the outworking of his sovereign rulership over all (p. 189)." He goes on to say that though God is sovereign and can rule the world unilaterally, He still invites us to participate in what He is doing through prayer. He writes, "God purposely designed how things would work so that some of what he accomplishes can only be accomplished as people pray."

My reformed sisters, think of it this way: "Prayer is like preaching in that it is a human act also. It is a human act that God has ordained and which he delights in because it reflects the dependence of his creatures upon Him. He has promised to respond to prayer, and his response is just as contingent upon our prayer as our prayer is in accordance with his will. "And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (I John 5:14). (John Piper - for more on this click here.)"

All this to say, pray for our sister Heather. Even if it's been a while since you've bent your knees in prayer, let this be the opener of an intimate conversation with God. I must confess that this is me. Yes, I pray all day long, I stay in an open dialogue with Jesus but it is a rare thing to lock myself in the closet and intercede or labor in prayer. Lord, forgive me for not taking your command seriously and missing out on the glorious blessing of interacting deeply with You.

Let's pray.

So Good...

...to hear we're not alone :)

Mommas, read this.

An Eventful Weekend

Being a pastor's family means Easter looks a bit different from most other families. However, we made the most of it! We started out with a "camp-out" on Friday. Matt pitched the tent (do NOT try to say that phrase in a sermon, just ask this guy) and then started a fire in our trusty fire pit. The weather was perfect - dreary and cold. Mimi and Papi stopped by to check it out.


Audrey and Mimi getting cozy in the tent.


Matt and Papi and the magnificent fire!

On Saturday, we tried to stay warm and dry (despite a few glorious snowflakes) inside. That night, we went to church. Yes, we celebrated Easter with our church family on Saturday night.


Unfortunately, our best picture of Audrey and Reid in their Easter outfits.


Audrey striking a pose at church.


Easter: Village-style: searsucker blazer, blue linen shirt, faded jeans and Chucks.


My only Easter picture. Don't you like my outfit??

I must add that Easter wouldn't have been complete without the help of my friend Stephanie. She made these amazing egg-shaped petit fours that she graciously let me decorate. It was my first try so don't be too critical! Thanks, Steph, for a fabulous Wednesday!


Watch out, petit fours, here I come! (Isn't Stephanie's apron so cute??)


The finished product.

I promise I've got a "serious" blog coming. My heart has been so full lately that I've needed some time to sort it all out. Until then, this is what you get. Fun, though, huh??

Pizza and a Movie Night

Inspired by our wonderful friends, the Warmkas, we started our own "Pizza and a Movie Night." However, there was one hitch. Both of the kids ate pizza with us but only one, Audrey, watched the movie. We watched IMAX: Deep Sea. Amazing movie. Narrarated by two of my favorite actors: Kate Winslet and Johnny Depp.

The pizza was courtesy of Papa Murphy's. Yummy take and bake!

We can't wait until "Pizza and Movie Night" becomes the real deal. Something that Matt and I pray and strive for is that our children would want and even prefer to be at home with us. We know this is a long stretch but nothing is impossible with God. We've seen other families do it, so there is hope!

Easter Eggxtravaganza

Our first Easter Egg Hunt!! For some reason, we have never taken Audrey to an Easter egg hunt. Call us bad parents, or whatever. We just haven't done it yet - until today! Our neighborhood sponsored a hunt replete with eggs, brightly-colored chicks, bunny rabbits, a train and, of course, the Easter bunny.

Thank goodness they divided the playing fields by age group: 0 - 4, 5 - 7, and 8 & up. The 0 - 4 was a piece of cake, according to Audrey. Eggs strewn as far as the eye could see. Even Reid had no problem slam dunking dozens of plastic pastel eggs into his basket.

Our favorite part of the day was when the Easter bunny decided to remove his head and visit with a neighbor. One unfortunate little girl witnessed the horror of the bunny, whose lap she had just sat in, reaching for his head, jerking it straight up and carrying it under his arm. She immediately let out a terrified scream and ran for her mother. Priceless.

It was a great time. Here are a few pictures from the eventful afternoon...


On your mark...get set...GO!


And they're off!


Slam dunk!


Reid loved these chicks - he giggled with glee when he saw them.


Miss Melancholy


Audrey, Katie and the Easter Bunny


Who's holding me?? (Can't get this photo to rotate!! Argh!)